Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane and co-coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi started their AmaZulu reign with a 2-1 loss in the Carling Knockout against defending champions Stellenbosch on Friday night at the King Zwelithini Stadium.
Usuthu started the 2024/25 Premier Soccer League season on a low note which led to the firing of their former coach Pablo Franco Martin.
Vilakazi, who was serving as the club's reserve team coach, and ex-Amakhosi tactician Zwane who had been demoted to the youth set-up were given the mandate to help AmaZulu bounce back.
Zwane, Vilakazi fail the first test
A match against the Stellies was not going to be an easy outing for the two coaches. Richard Ofori was handed his debut in a bid to fix the otherwise leaking department owing to Veli Mothwa's blunders.
It took the defending champions 24 minutes to break the deadlock when Andre de Jong assisted Mamelodi Sundowns target Devon Titus.
Sanele Barnes and Ashley Cupido came close to doubling the advantage but Ofori stood firm in goal. The Ghanaian made some massive stops to keep Usuthu in the game.
Moremi responds but De Jong breaks AmaZulu's hearts
The first half ended 1-0 in favour of the visitors, but Usuthu started the second one quite well hoping to make things even.
Tshepang Moremi answered the home fans' prayers with his strike in the 53rd minute to ensure the scores were level.
With no second goal from either team, the match went to extra time. In the 97th minute, Andre de Jong converted Barns' pass to ensure Stellies advance.
Zwane and Vilakazi have a couple of days to work on the team before playing in form Orlando Pirates in the Premier Soccer League game to be played on Friday at the Orlando Stadium.
